We know, we know — talking about “back to school” anything is enough to make your skin crawl. But the inevitable is already here — and you’re going to have to start budgeting for those costly school supplies.
Luckily, it’s not too difficult to find ways to save on your supplies, whether you’re headed back to high school or starting your first year at college. Andrea Woroch, consumer and money-saving expert for Kinoli Inc., shares her tips to saving those necessary bucks on your back to school purchases:
1. Shop at home
When you go grocery shopping, you generally have a good idea of what’s filling your ‘fridge and pantry. Take the same approach with back-to-school shopping and search around the house for any supplies you already have or can reuse. If there are optional items on the supply list, hold off on buying those until you’re absolutely sure you need them.
2. Time your purchase
They say timing is everything, and that’s especially true for back-to-school shopping. Those living in or near states offering tax-free holidays should shop these days to save on sales tax. Since summer clothes are on clearance (yes, already!), it’s best to load up on tee shirts and shorts and hold off until September and October for fall apparel, including denim. If you’re unsure of the best time to buy items, use tools like TrackIf.com or the SnapUp app to track prices for you. Finally, continue tracking prices even after you make your purchase, since stores including Kohl’s and Target will offer price adjustments for items that go on sale after you buy them.
3. Shop smart for extracurricular activities
In addition to school clothing and classroom supplies, consider the equipment you will need for your extracurricular activities. Shopping smart for these pricey items can help you save big bucks. For example, Play It Again Sports offers gently-used sporting equipment for up to 90% savings compared to department stores. You can also shop online for musical instruments and save with coupon codes. For example, CouponSherpa.com currently has a promo code for 10% off American Musical Supply, where acoustic guitars start at $199.
4. Look for last year’s model.
If you need a tablet or computer to complete your coursework, don’t pay full price for the latest model — even if it’s tempting! To save big bucks, opt for last year’s models or consider refurbished. A previously-owned and certified laptop, tablet or smartphone from Apple, Samsung, AT&T or Verizon comes with a warranty and can save you anywhere from 20 to 40%. You can also trade in old gadgets and smartphones at such sites as NextWorth.com or to retail stores including Target and Best Buy for cash or store credit.
5. Use social media.
Stores reward customers who like, follow, post, tag, pin, tweet and retweet, offering social media fans exclusive coupons codes and special savings. Like a brand on Facebook or follow them on Twitter for a chance of unlocking special savings. Create retail lists for easy-to-browse sales and instant offers. Check in to a retail location on Foursquare for freebies and coupons and track prices with Pinterest. Ultimately, it pays to be social!
Andrea Woroch is a consumer and money-saving expert for Kinoli Inc. From smart spending tips to personal finance advice, Andrea transforms everyday consumers into savvy shoppers. As a sought-after media source, she has been featured among such top news outlets as Good Morning America, Today, CNN, Dr. OZ, New York Times, MONEY Magazine, Huffington Post, Forbes and many more. For more information, visit AndreaWoroch.com or follow her on Twitter for daily savings advice and tips.
